Contentious penalty helps Everton to 3rd straight win in EPL

Everton won its third straight match to open English Premier League by beating Crystal Palace 2-1 thanks to a contentiously awarded penalty converted by Richarlison on Saturday.

Palace right back Joel Ward became latest player to fall foul of league’s newly adopted interpretation of defensive handballs, when ball struck his left arm after being headed on by Lucas Digne.

Because his arm was adjudged to have made his body unnaturally bigger, a penalty was awarded and Richarlison struck his 40th-minute effort into top corner after a stuttered runup.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin put Everton in lead in 10th minute, finishing off a flowing team move involving James Rodriguez and Seamus Coleman to score his fifth goal of season.

Cheikhou Kouyaté equalized with a header from Andros Townsend’s right-wing corner in 26th.

Everton has already beaten Tottenham away and West Bromwich Albion at home.

Palace dropped points for first time after wins against Southampton and Manchester United.

Robin Koch, Victor Lindelof, Matt Doherty and Neal Maupay are ors to have given away penalties for defensive handball since Premier League decided to fall in line with rest of European soccer and apply ruling in a stricter way rar than judging it on intent.